For most of us, the pandemic has wreaked havoc on our lives. It has been close to two years of living with fear, uncertainties, and pain. It’s really not that surprising, then, that most of us are struggling with our mental health during the lockdown.
The silver lining in this is that, fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help cope with anxiety. One of the most popular and best ones is, of course, aromatherapy. Below, we’ll share some essential oils that should help to ease your anxiety during the lockdown.
Let’s dive in.
You probably see this coming but there’s no denying the fact that lavender essential oil is the best oil to soothe anxiety. This highly versatile oil has been shown to be able to reduce stress, anxiety, and even cortisol levels (often known as the stress hormone).
You can either vaporize the lavender essential oil or add a few drops to your bath. Otherwise, blend with some carrier oil and use the mixture for a calming massage. Even easier, just take a whiff of the soothing oil right from the bottle and you should feel your anxiety ebbs.
The citrusy and rejuvenating bergamot essential oil can work wonders in alleviating stress. It contains flavonoids, which help to release ‘good’ hormones like dopamine and serotonin that can fight anxiety, stress, and fatigue.
When the anxiety sets in during lockdown, add a few drops of bergamot essential oil to a cotton ball and inhale deeply. And, as always, you can add it to your bath, too.
If the lockdown — and the pandemic — is driving your anxiety through the roof, you can also give patchouli essential oil a try. It helps to promote the release of serotonin and dopamine to ease anxiety as well as depression.
When your anxiety level is high, add 10-12 drops of the oil to your warm bath. Or, inhale the oil when you need a pick-me-up. And, of course, adding a few drops to a diffuser will get the job done, too.
Bright and uplifting, rose geranium essential oil is a must-have to calm anxiety during the lockdown. In fact, many believe it helps in balancing your body’s hormonal levels.
To reap the benefits of the essential oil, diffuse a few drops of the oil around your home. Alternatively, add a few drops of rose geranium to a cotton ball or a handkerchief and inhale deeply when needed.
When you need a little boost and help to minimize anxiety, give Ylang-Ylang essential oil a try. With its beautiful tropical scent, the essential oil has an uplifting effect on mood and is believed to alleviate anxiety.
Add a few drops of Ylang-Ylang oil to your bath and kick back for a relaxing time. Or, dab a tad bit on your wrist and feel the anxiety leave your body.
Remember that it’s absolutely normal to feel anxious during this trying and uncertain time. Just be sure to take extra care of yourself — both physically and mentally.
